When it was started, the approach to “The Project” (explanation elsewhere) was mixture of “working job” and “classroom study” although it would not result in a paycheck or educational credits. It was only known it would take time to gather information, so it had to be viewed as a job of sorts. Furthermore, there wasn’t a knowledge of anything about computers; so, learning enough to use them had to be figured into the picture. Given “pre-computer” knowledge and experience in office work, the first intent had been enough computer skills for a real job.

College credit courses, even at state schools, ran into hundreds of dollars. Other means turned into the library, which about then acquired computers for general public use. The library offered internet access, period. And, if that was what was available then and there, that was the angle from which to start. Ideally, finding out how to do a business letter was in there somewhere. “The Project” naturally came out of the realm of “maybe someday.” Retirement funds might be meager, but it was something that could be done until something else might be arranged.

At the time, the library in Cincinnati allowed less than an hour online; but, after an hour, one could go back online. One could rack up about four “study” hours per day. The move to Covington changed things; the time online was limited to an hour a day, although the computers could be in use otherwise for three more hours. “The Project” was still viewed as a job, but severely curtailed. Even with a personal computer there was curtailment as “keeping current” was needed. It can no longer be seen as “a job.” (More later.)